WHY are federal agents hobnobbing with hackers? Defcon, a convention of computer hackers here, was crawling with them on Friday. They smiled, shook hands, handed out business cards, spoke on a panel called âMeet the Federal Agent 2.0â and were really, really nice.
Naturally, federal agents have been hanging out at hacker gatherings for years to snoop. âCloak and dagger,â as one put it.

This time they came with another purpose: to schmooze, impress and, perhaps ultimately, lure. The United States Cyber Command, the Pentagonâs Internet defense arm, âhas a work force issue,â said Daron Hartvigsen, special agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. âWe have needs that some in this community can solve. We need folks with skills.â